The spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has dominated our news and our attention over these last weeks. As the situation continues to evolve, the Minnesota Conference office and United Church of Christ national setting are monitoring the situation closely and providing guidance and support to our members. We want to equip our congregations and leaders to make wise, faithful, and healthy decisions.

Conference Minister Shari Prestemon has sent out two letters directly to all clergy within the Minnesota Conference urging immediate attention to certain precautions and consideration of additional measures moving forward. Her latest letter was sent on Monday of this week. The denomination has developed a Coronavirus disaster ministries page on its website with many resources for local congregations and members, including ideas for modified worship behavior during this public health crisis. We also encourage all to monitor the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health website for continual updates.

The Conference will continue to provide guidance on COVID-19 matters relevant to our congregations as needed. “It's important for all of us to behave calmly, thoughtfully, and faithfully, choosing facts over fear and preparation over panic,” writes Rev. Prestemon. “Let us do now what we do best as the Church...care deeply for each other, invite God's peace into our hearts and communities, and lean on one another for support and wisdom and guidance as we navigate these unfamiliar waters. And let us trust, as the scriptures remind us, that God is ever near.”

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Registration open for Annual Meeting June 12-13

With Mary's Magnificat as our text, this year's Annual Meeting will explore the power inherent in magnification. We'll hear from Samantha Fuentes, one of the young people who survived the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, who will lead us in reflections on how our faith can magnify our resilience, the voice of Jesus and the power of love and hope. Important plenary sessions, interesting workshops, worship, song, social time, and more round out the two-day event. A Power & Boundary Training is also available Thursday prior to the meeting. We extend a heart-filled invitation to all in our Conference to join us. REGISTER or LEARN MORE

Conference News & Information

SAVE $50 WHEN YOU REGISTER BY APRIL 1 FOR THE SPRING CONFERENCE YOUTH EVENT 2020

Friday, May 1–Sunday, May 3 | Camp Onomia, Onamia, MN

Earth Day turns 50 on April 22! To join the celebrations and calls to action, our Spring CYE will be a time for youth to explore our deep interconnectedness with the earth. We will spend the weekend exploring the wonder of nature, joined by staff and youth climate activists working with Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light. We will also spend time with staff from nearby Kathio State Park to learn about the geography of the area and local conservation and stewardship efforts. Questions? Contact
Rev. Kevin Brown or
Rev. Sheri Nelson.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

REGISTER FOR AUGUST FAMILY CAMP

August 9-13, 2020 | Camp Onomia, Onamia, MN

Spend four days relaxing at Camp Onomia on beautiful Lake Shakopee, engaging with an intergenerational community, swimming, playing, reading, and enjoying the beautiful camp. Each day includes a balance of structured group activities and free time, and ends with a brief Vespers service.

Campers will enjoy three meals per day with lodging in the Retreat Center, where each room includes a private bathroom, shower, and closet. Family Camp is open to all, including nuclear and extended families, friends, couples, singles, children and youth of any age. Multiple generations of each family are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

August Family Camp is sponsored by St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ and welcomes participants from many different congregations from the Minnesota Conference UCC and beyond, including denominations other than the UCC.
﻿LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

STEWARDSHIP SNIP-IT: GIVING IS PERSONAL!

"People give because, 1) they believe in the mission of the organization, 2) they hold staff leadership in high regard, and 3) the institution is fiscally responsible.”

—Jerold Panas, author of Mega Gifts

Giving is so personal! When we give our money, we are giving a part of ourselves. That money is associated with worth: both our self-worth and the worth we place on our relationships. Giving to a church is more complex; it's about several relationships: between the giver and God, the congregation, the clergy, the United Church of Christ, and our world.

How well do your stewardship efforts connect your givers to God, to your congregation, to your minister, the broader United Church of Christ, and the world?

DO THIS. Each time you communicate stewardship efforts to people in your congregation, remind them how their gift is doing the work of God’s people. Share a story about how your church’s ministry has had an impact in your community. Coordinate stewardship efforts with your minister, and let them help tell the stories. Communicate stewardship all year long.

Stewardship Snip-Its is an occasional column that challenges churches and congregations to talk openly about stewardship and giving. If you have a snip-it idea or comment, please contact Bob Olsen at 612.230.3375, or at development@uccmn.org.

The Minnesota Conference is partnering for a second time with the Center for Courage & Renewal to offer Courage to Lead: A Retreat for Faith Leaders, a six-month program to renew, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most to your vocation. Applications are due March 31. Due to generous funding from the Ashley Endowment, authorized ministers and other staff or volunteer leaders serving congregations within the Minnesota Conference UCC will receive a 50% scholarship for this retreat series. LEARN MORE

"5 FOR 5” CONGREGATIONS HONORED

Forty-eight United Church of Christ congregations are being honored for their exemplary support of our denomination’s five special offerings: Our Church’s Wider Mission, One Great Hour of Sharing, Neighbors in Need, Strengthen the Church, and the Christmas Fund. Each of these congregations made a contribution to all five of the offerings that expand our ministries at the local, regional, national, and global level. Thank you, good and faithful servants. VIEW THE LIST

Come for a lively conversation with colleagues about your experiences with youth and intergenerational service-learning, immersion experiences and other intentional travel opportunities. You will hear particular stories from a few Conference congregations about their experience with collaborative ecumenical service-learning and advocacy trips and another congregation’s experience with a youth immersion trip. Lunch provided. RSVP

Notices & Special Invitations

Tell us your story! Is your church or someone in your church doing something remarkable or new? Interesting or engaging? We want to hear from you! Please send your story ideas to
communications@uccmn.org. COMMAntary is published on Wednesdays; submissions are due the Monday prior to publication at noon.

If your church needs assistance: Until the arrival of our Interim Associate Conference Minister on April 6, churches in the northern part of the Conference should contact Conference Minister Shari Prestemon or Associate Conference Ministers Anita Bradshaw and Kevin Brown. Congregations with search and call questions may contact either Anita Bradshaw or Shari Prestemon at 612-871-0359.

There are many opportunities within the Minnesota Conference. Check out the employment opportunities portion of our website for all open positions. And be sure to like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on news, events, jobs and more.

This newsletter is brought to you by generous contribution to Our Church's Wider Mission.

The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) equips a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love. Through advice, support, and resources, we strengthen the 126 congregations throughout the state to do the redemptive work of God in the world.